New editorial regime at The Age

Fairfax Media masthead The Age has a new editor-in-chief and news director following yesterday's announcement editor-in-chief Paul Ramadge had resigned.

Editor of Fairfax-owned Christchurch paper The Press Andrew Holden has been appointed editor-in-chief of The Age and The Sunday Age and Saturday Age editor Steve Foley has been given the new role of news director, Melbourne.

Holden attracted praise during his tenure as editor of The Press for his conduct during the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. In his office when the quake struck, Holden rallied his staff on the street and the team produced an edition for the next day, covering the destruction that occurred. He has previously worked at The Age for more than seven years.

“Andrew’s leadership during the earthquake attracted worldwide notice and acclaim,” said Fairfax Metro Media editorial director Garry Linnell. “It wasn’t just the exemplary manner in which he guided and cared for his staff at a time of crisis, it was also the way he led the Christchurch community, informing them of the situation and keeping a cool, calm voice when others might have trembled.

“Andrew loves Melbourne and The Age [... he] will champion Melbourne, champion The Age and continue the masthead’s long-running and trusted relationship with the people of Victoria.”

Holden said: “I’m really excited about returning to The Age. Its journalism has long been the best in Victoria, and as the current PANPA Newspaper of the Year for the largest circulation category, it is also the leading newsroom in Australia.”

Foley will work closely with Holden in his new role as news director, Melbourne. A journalist for forty years, he started his career as a copy boy with The Sun News-Pictorial and has worked as Victorian editor of The Australian, editor-in-chief of Leader Newspapers, and editor of The Sunday Age.

“He has a zeal for journalism and storytelling coupled with a great flair for design,” Linnell said. “He is also a genuine newsroom leader and mentor to many younger staff.”

The new appointments are effective next week.

Ramadge, who held his role for four years, will depart in early July.

The staffing changes are part of a massive company restructure that will see 1,900 staff cuts over three years.

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